Aerial machine.



J. J. BEKAR. AERIAL MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 19, 1908.

Patented May 25, 1909.

\VITNESSES jnNITED STATES, PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN J. REKAR, OF SAN FRANCISCO; CALIFORNIA.

AERIAL MACHINE.

of the United States, residing in the cityand county. of San Francisco and State of Califorum, have invented new and. useful Improvements in Aerial Machines, of which the following is a specification.

.My invention relates to an aerial apparatus. It'consists' in the combination of parts, and in details of construction which will be more fully explained by reference to the I accompanying drawings, in which I Figurel is a side elevation. Fig. 2 i s a .15 top View. Fig. 3 is a front view partially in section. Fig. 4. is a section showing the internal structure and bracing of the gas holder. Fig. 5 shows the channeled construction of. the holder.

The gas-holder A of my apparatus, which is elongated horizontally, may be made with an exteriorskinof any suitable or well known material of sufficient lightness and ability to retain gas for a long period. In order to 25 retain it in" shape, I have shown a series of truss frames 2, which maintain the outer skin in roper distention, these trusses being spaced engthwise; the front and rear of the gas holder: are preferably made wedge- .30 shaped, as shown at 3, converging from the body A to a vertical edge at front and rear.

By this construction I reduce the air resistance, an.d provide a vertical edge to which the rudder emay be hinged or connected as shown. Upon the sides of this structure are hinged aeroplanes 5 which project preferably from points somewhat above the central line of the gas-holder, These aeroplanes ma also be connected with other aeroplanes 4 hinged lower down upon the exterior of the gas-holder, and by suitable connections with i the engine-room, they may be raised or deiressed asdesired. In the present case I have shown the aeroplanes 5as being slightly arched intransverse section, and they may have upwardly projecting extensions -or wings 5 k Upon the to of the apparatus are vertical cylindrical she ls 7, and within these propel- I lers are mounted torevolve on vertical shafts. Connections are made between each shell 7 and the vspace below the aeroplanes 5, by means of openchutes or channels 8, so that when the propeller is revolving in the right and proper direction, air will be drawn in from the upper part of the shell, and will be I Specification of Letters Patent. 7 p Application filed August 19, 1908. Serial No. 449,253.

Patented May 25, 1909.

! forced out under the aeroplanes; or. when the two sets 5Tand .6 are employed, it will be ejected between them. raising the apparatus from the ground when it is made slightly heavier than the buoyant power ofthe contained gas, and by moving the-aeroplanes as theair passes-out between them, I am enabled to assist in the operation of the apparatus.

The engine-room or car 9 is suspended beneath the gas-holder, and may contain engines from which power is derived for operating the apparatus.

I have here shown propellers 1O fixed upon shafts 11 which are journaled along the upper and lower edges of the vertical Wedge-shaped portion of the apparatus, and from which connections extend to a point in the engineroom where power may be applied to rotate them. The vertical shaft of the horizontal rotating propeller or propellers may be driven in like'manner from the engine.

I prefer to mount the apparatus upon light wheels 12 so disposed that it can run lightly upon-the'ground until sufficient speed has been attained so that, with the lifting effect with the buoyant gas, the device may rise in the air, after which it may be controlled by the operation of the rudders; the vertical rudder 4 serving to steer it from side to side.

It will be understood that the car may be of any suitable or desirable'shape. I prefer similar shape so that the apparatus may be started upon water, and when suflicient speed has been attained,.it may rise, and thereafter be manipulated in the air. Such a form also allows it to descend upon the water and injurious shocks are prevented. If by accident, or for other reason the machine should descend when passing over a body of water, .the boat shaped car would support it, and the propellers could be used to drive the machine without raising it from the surface.

method for applying the truss frames 2 in which the outer covering of the gas-holder is contracted or drawn into a smaller diameter at each of these trusses, than the main diameter, as at a, and the trusses fit into these and su ports against undue extension. eacho these sections, the gas-holdemnay be tied, or otherwise be detachably connected with the trusses.

to make it with its under body of a boat orgrooves orchannels and form exterior braces At This assists In I of the propeller and the aeroplanes, together In Fig. 5 I have shown a convenient I apparatus when in motions The rudder 4 has-suitable cords connecthe latter, and thus serve in conjunction with the aeroplanes, to raise or depress the The vertical rudder may be extended above and below the upper and lower horizontal lines of the gas-holder, and will thus expose more surface, and insure a more perfect control.

By means of a weight'l5 suspended below .the car, and cords 16 by which said weight may be moved forward or backward I am enabled to tilt the apparatus to assist in raising or depressing it, in conjunction with the propelling and steering mechanism.

' Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. The combination in an apparatus of the character described, of a gas-holder, a vertically disposed shell, a propeller revoluble upon vertical axis within'said shell, passages leading downwardly and transversely outward from the shell, and aeroplanes adjustably connected with the sides of the apparatus above and below the air exit passages.

2. In an apparatus of the characterde scribed, a substantially cylindrical gasholder having transverse truss frames by which the shape of the body is maintained, the front and rear ends of said holder converging to vertically disposed ends, a rudder hinged to one of said vertical ends and a horizontally disposed rudder hinged and movable with relation to the first named rudder, and propellers located at the verticylindrical central section and ends c0nverg ing to vertical edges, with rudders hinged to one end, and propellers at either end, vertical shells on the upper part of the gas-holder, passages leading downwardly and outwardly 1 I from said shells through the sides of the gasholder, propellers. mounted to revolve in said shells, aeroplanes hinged above and below said'passages, those upon each side being connected to move in unison, and a struc 'ture suspended beneath the gas-holder, and

adapted to contain a motor and operating connect-ions.

4. In an aerial apparatus ofthe'character described, a gas-holder having circumferentialehannels at intervals of less diameter than the main diameter, truss frames fitting said channels, and means for raising, propelling and steering said apparatus.

5, Inan aerial apparatus of the character described, a horizontally disposed tubular gas-holder having its ends convergent in vertical planes to narrow-vertical terminating edges, circumferential grooves or channels formed in said shell at intervals between the convergent sections, trusses removably fitted in said grooves, and co-acting elevating, propelling, and steering mechanism.

6. The combination in an aerial apparatus of the character described, of a horizontally disposed tubular gas-holder with vertical wedge-shaped ends and circumferential detachable trusses, a boat-shaped car and movable counter-weight, elevating, propelling, and steering mechanism, adjustable aeroplanes in pairs upon the sides of the gas holder, and passages diverging from the elevating devices, and discharging below the upper pairs of aeroplanes.

7. In an aerial apparatus of the character described, a horizontally disposed tubular C gas-holder, with detachable interspaced truss frames, and vertical wedge-shaped ends, and raising, propelling, and steering mechanism, said steering mechanism including horizontal and vertical rudders, turnable upon the vertical end of the gas-holder.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing wit nesses.

f JOHN J. REKAR. Witnesses:

' CHARLES EDELMAN,

C. C. Coon. 

